Biggest challenges to my HA in a while

[HoneyLove]

Hi guys,

I rarely post about my own challenges, simply because I don't really have many anymore. But, I'm only human and I still struggle sometimes. I find myself struggling today with something and I wanted to share with you guys. I'm not looking for reassurance, just for your support while I work my way through these challenges.

Yesterday while taking photos in the woods I got a tick bite, I didn't notice it until this morning and made the decision not to worry about it. I just applied antiseptic cream a couple of times during the day and put thoughts about it out of my mind when they crept in. This evening the bite and rash are a little bigger, so I got in touch with a nurse aunt who advised me on what do to. I just need to keep an eye on it and get tested for lyme disease in around a week's time, or if the rash gets worse just ask for an antibiotic from my GP this week.

This is a big challenge for me. My health has not been great over the last few years (not HA, but genuine health issues) and one of my biggest challenges is worrying about going backwards in terms of the recovery I've made. I know that lyme is very easily treated, especially if caught early - my own sister had it and was successfully treated - but my worry is around it making my health issues worse.

So, it's a challenge for me to have to wait and watch, rather than take immediate action. I'm very proactive, and I prefer to have something I can work on, rather than sitting back and worrying. This time I just have to be patient. I've come up with an action plan, and I could use your support in keeping to it:

- post here and ask for some support
- no googling, trust what my aunt has told me
- call the GP midweek and make an appointment for next week
- if the bite looks worse, make an appointment for this week
- no obsessively checking the bite
- no obsessively thinking about lyme and bad health
- I cannot worry about something that has not happened, so I will not allow myself to imagine getting lyme disease and it making my health issues worse
- plenty of relaxation methods to take the edge off stressful feelings if I have them
- come back to you guys if I find myself worrying, I will not talk obsessively about it with others (this is a pattern I used to have in the past)
- I can choose how I react and feel about this, it's natural to feel a bit of anxiety but I choose not to allow it to go any further than that, no panic and no anxiety attacks

Another challenge I'm facing this week is a visit to the rheumatologist. Again, I think anyone would find this anxiety inducing, so I'm just keeping an eye on myself and choosing to feel relaxed and calm about this appointment.

Unfortunately I've been having a lot of pain in the areas around my joints in the last few months. After a blood test returned some uncertain results my GP is sending me off to a rheumatologist. I'm dealing with it surprisingly well, in the past it would really have gotten to me. Nonetheless I'm a bit worried about what may be causing my pain, and am putting a list of questions together for the consultant. I will ask her if she thinks it's stress induced, as I have had a particularly stressful year so it's at the front of my mind that it may be part of the equation.

I'm writing this out here, half for myself, and half to show others how I work through anxiety triggers. I hope someone will find it helpful, I know it helps me to get some of this out and I'd appreciate any extra tips or advice you guys have to offer x

[Fishmanpa]

HLove,

You are and continue to be an inspiration for so many here. Your strength and resolve coupled with a caring heart are quite evident in your posts.

I don't think you can do a better job as to what you posted. You have a plan, you wrote it down and you'll follow up as necessary. Regardless of what happens going forward, you have the tools to deal with it and I have no doubts that you'll handle anything that comes your way.

Positive thoughts and prayers that all will be just fine :)

[HoneyLove]

Thank you so much Fishman, your kind words are so comforting, I'm grateful that you believe in me. When others believe in us it makes it easier to believe in ourselves.

I think you're right, I've made a solid plan there, it will be a challenge to all the work I've done over the last few years to stick to it and consciously choose how I feel.

In truth I am a bit sad this evening, this is the kind of thing I might have turned to my husband for once upon a time, I'm feeling our separation all the more sharply without him to lean on. In time this will pass too. I'm glad to have this community to turn to.

Thanks again for your kindness xx

[Trueman]

Rational plan. Makes complete sense. Stick to it.

Have faith in yourself despite the separation from your husband. You are your own strength.

[HoneyLove]

Thanks so much Trueman xx

[Tanner40]

Morning HoneyLove. Look how far you have come. Be proud of your accomplishments and know that you are an inspiration to many on this page.

You thought out all of the rational actions and wrot e a solid plan for the next week, concerning your anxieties and actions over the tick bite. I have no doubt that you will do a great job of following your action plan for the week.

You are strong and will handle whatever comes your way. I can certainly understand missing your ex, who was a sounding board, at times like this. Completely normal feeling to be having. Continue to check in and let us know how things are going. You are showing others how to deal with an anxiety provoking event. You got this!

[HoneyLove]

Thanks for the support Tanner. I'm struggling with this, but have stuck to the plan so far. No obsessing, checking or googling. It's proving quite a challenge, but as time goes by I'm relaxing about it and making an effort to choose how I feel. It's a good exercise for me.

[cpe1978]

Hi Honeylove,

Sorry it has taken me a while to post on this thread, for some reason only my ipad will allow me to log on to this site and I haven't used it for a few days.

Sounds to me like two things. Firstly you are good at following your own advice, and secondly every time we make It through a tough period it convinces us we can do it again.

I think you know you will pull out the other side and that we are all here to support you while you do.

Xx

[Serenity1990]

According to the specialist I saw in January, there's only one or two areas of the UK where Lyme is endemic, and as you say it's very treatable if it is that. Luckily because it's so localised in this country if you're in an area where it's a problem your doctor will have seen it many times before and will know exactly what to do, and if you're not in such an area it really is incredibly unlikely.

Well done in following your own advice, you're really well on your way! :D

[HoneyLove]

Thank you CPE, it's so lovely to have all of your support. I must admit that I'm challenged a lot by this, but I'm so much better at handling it than before.

So the bite is not looking good and my aunt thinks it looks like Lyme. So I need to visit the doctor tomorrow to have it sorted. In a way I'm glad to be taking a definite action, I hate the watch & wait type of approach. In another way I feel stressed at all of this and wish I had someone near for a hug. I'm keeping myself distracted by talking to my family on viber, and making plans to see them at the end of next week.

---------- Post added at 23:03 ---------- Previous post was at 22:59 ----------

Thank you serenity, I think we were writing posts at the same time. I live in ireland and Lyme is not endemic here as far as I know. But there were deer and sheep in the areas I was taking photos in on the weekend, and my aunt suggested because of this I need to keep an eye on things. I'm lucky to have her to ask, she's done a lot of work with Lyme so she knows exactly what advise to give :)

I'm frustrated this evening, but determined not to let it get me too down. I'm lucky this is a treatable problem when caught early.

Also, thanks for your advice, it sounds like you're speaking from experience!

[RoseEve]

I think this is a great plan :)

[HoneyLove]

Thank you RoseEve, doing my best to stick to it.

My GP is all booked up today, so I have to wait until tomorrow to see her. Admittedly I didn't sleep too well last night, but am not letting it make me crumble like in the past. A year or two ago I would have stayed at home in bed with exhaustion from all the worrying.

[Tanner40]

Morning Honey Love. Just checking in to see how your plan is working. I know that the watching and waiting can be difficult. Sounds like you were making an appointment to have the bite looked at. Let us know how it turns out. Thinking about you.

[HoneyLove]

Thanks Tanner, I'm feeling a lot calmer today. In fact I've barely been thinking about it, which is a good change from yesterday. I'm booked in to see my GP in the morning, so I can have a chat with her about it and get the blood test done. I'm seeing the rheumatologist in the afternoon then, so tomorrow will be a big enough day for me. Not feeling too badly about it though, I'm sure all will be well.

[swgrl09]

I don't think you have anything to worry about if you go to the doctors this early about Lyme. The doc will give you the right antibiotics and it should be out of your system before you know it. My father had it twice, and the second time saw the rash like you did and got on meds quickly. He hardly even felt sick.

Wishing you luck

[HoneyLove]

Thanks so much swgrl, I've not been googling so I don't know much about it. I know my own sister had it and was diagnosed about 3 weeks after she got bitten, and still she had no issues except the rash. So I think you must be right, that this is early and nothing to worry about.